Effects of structured vocational services in ex-offender veterans with mental illness: 6-month follow-up

Abstract

Abstract-With more than 200,000 veterans incarcerated, a significant need exists for the development of technologies that help veterans with felony histories return to employment. This study evaluated the effect of three methods of vocational assistance on competitive employment over a 6 mo follow-up period: (1) basic vocational services, (2) self-study using a vocational manual designed for formerly incarcerated veterans, and (3) a group led by vocational staff using the vocational manual. We evaluated 111 veterans for time to obtain and total time of competitive employment. The group format was expected to be superior to the self-study and the self-study superior to basic services. Findings indicated that the group format was associated with quicker employment and more total employment than the basic and self-study conditions. Limitations and directions for future refinement are discussed.

Effectiveness of work skills programmes for offenders with mental disorders: A systematic review

“…Assessment of risk of bias confirmed that one study had a low risk of bias (Schaeffer et al ) and three studies a moderate risk of bias (LePage et al, ; LePage et al, ; Evans et al, ). One study was found to have a high risk of bias (Hall et al, ), and it was not possible to assess the risk of bias for one study (Twentyman et al, ) because of poor reporting of the study procedure.…”

“…There were three randomised controlled trials (Twentyman et al, ; Hall et al, ; Schaeffer et al, ), two non‐randomised but controlled trials (LePage et al, ; LePage et al, ) and one retrospective cohort study (Evans et al, ). It was not possible to ascertain if a sub‐sample of LePage et al () participants also participated in the LePage et al () study. This is a possibility, but for the purposes of this review we have considered them as separate papers.…”

“…All included studies were from the United States of America (USA); two were in the grounds of an urban medical centre (LePage et al, ; ) and four were community based.…”

“…Most participants were men. Four studies (Evans et al, ; Hall et al, ; LePage et al, ; Schaeffer et al, ) reported that the primary mental health problem was substance abuse/dependence, whilst LePage et al () reported that participants had depression, a psychotic disorder or substance use disorder. One study did not specify the disorders, but stated that all participants had a history of psychiatric referral or intervention (Twentyman et al, ).…”

Spinal cord injury combined with felony history: Effect on supported employment for Veterans

“…These employers also recommended to employment specialists that they encourage job seekers to be honest as well as help them practice talking about their conviction and about positive changes in their lives since the conviction. Randomized studies have shown these strategies to successfully help Veterans with convictions find employment [13][14].…”